Decorative outside framed awning



F b. 3, 1959 R. E. BUTLER 2,871,525

DECORATIVE OUTSIDE FRAMED AWNING I Filed Aug. 15, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 HA5 ATTORNEY Feb. 3, 1959 R. E. BUTLER ,525

DECORATIVE OUTSIDE FRAMED AWNING Filed Aug. 15, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 52 INVENTOR /F05/P7' 5072-4-75 19/5 ATTORNEY Feb. 3, 1959 R. E. BUTLER DECORATIVE OUTSIDE FRAMED AWNING 4 Sheets-She et 3 Filed Aug. 15, 1955 INVENTOR Page/P E 50 725/ 1 3 ATTORNEY Feb. 3, 1959 R. E. BUTLER v DECORATIVE OUTSIDE FRAMED AWNING Filed Aug. 15, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 /5 ATTORNEY United States DECORATIVE OUTSIDE FRAMED AWNING Robert E. Butler, La Crosse, Wis.

Application August 15, 1955, Serial No. 528,147

3 Claims. (Cl. 20-575) atent of an awning framework which may be quickly and easily mounted upon the exterior of a building or other support, and which will eliminate most drill holes in the framework and the accompanying difliculty of matching other holes and components.

A still further object of the present invention is the production of a simple and efficient mounting of the covering upon the frame, and the rearwardly slanting of the front panel to increase the air circulation under and around the awning.

Another object of the invention is the production of an awning wherein the coverings are formed of plastic fiberglass to facilitate the passing of a certain amount of light therethrough to expose the framework on the inside of the awning by day and on the outside by night.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the awning;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing the manner of securing the awning frame to a supporting wall;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of the front portion of the awning and frame;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the awning, the top flashing strip being shown in section;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 66 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 77 of Figure 5;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 8-8 of Figure 1;

Figure 9 is a central fragmentary vertical sectional View taken on line 99 of Figure 1;

Figure 10 is a sectional view taken on line 10-10 of Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a longitudinal sectional view of one of the hanger brackets;

Figure 12 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on line 12-12 of Figure 2;

Figure 13 is a fragmentary top plan view showing the manner of securing the top transverse bar to the side frame section;

Figure 14 is a top plan view of the awning frame;

Figure 15 is a fragmentary side elevational View showing the construction of one side section of the awning frame;

Figure 16 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing the opposite or companion side section of the awning frame;

Figure 17 is a fragmentary top plan view of a modifled form of the invention;

Figure 18 is a top plan view of the central top brace bar shown in Figure 17;

Figure 19 is a central longitudinal sectional view of the structure shown in Figure 17, the top awning canopy being shown in elevation;

Figure 20 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the awning and frame;

Figure 21 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken on line 2121 of Figure 20; and

Figure 22 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken on line 2222 of Figure 20.

Figure 23 is a fregmentary sectional view taken on line 2323 of Figure 15, and showing in addition one of the lower hanger brackets;

Figure 24 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view illustrating a modified form for attaching the flashing strip to the wall or other support;

Figure 25 is a fragmentary top plan view of the structure-shown in Figure 24;

Figure 26 is a fragmentary sectional view of a hanger bracket showing a modified type of bottom lugs for the side sections of the awning frame;

Figure 27 is a fragmentary sectional view through a lug and bracket of the type shown in Figure 26 prior to assembly;

Figure 28 is an irregular sectional view taken on line 2828 of Figure 26, showing the bottom lug in a locked position within the bottom hanger bracket.

By referring to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that 10 designates an awning frame which is formed of metal or other rigid material. The frame 10 comprises a pair of side sections 11 and 12 which are similarly constructed, the side section 12 being designed to match the side section 11. The side section 11 comprises a rear vertical hanger bar 13 having a top rearwardly offset anchoring lug 14, and a bottom rearwardly ofisetanchoring lug 15. The lug 14 extends upwardly, and the bottom lug 15 extends downwardly, and they are in vertical alignment with each other. The body of the hangerbar 13 extends in inwardly offset relation with respect to the lugs 14 and 15, to support the body of the hanger bar 13 in inwardly spaced relation to a supporting wall W shown in Figure 2. Two hanger brackets 16 and 17 are secured to the supporting wall W to receive the upwardly extending lugs 14 and 14 of the side sections 11 and 12 respectively, in the manner shown in Figure 3, and hanger brackets .18 and 19 are placed below and in vertical alignment with the hanger brackets 16 and 17. These hanger brackets 18 and 19 are anchored to the supporting wall W and receive the downwardly extending lugs 15 and 15 of the respective side sections 11 and 12 in the manner shown in Figure 3. Suitable set screws, such as the set screws 20, lock the lugs in the squared socket portions of the hanger brackets in the manner shown in Figures 3 and 11.

The frames 11 and 12 may be constructed in any suitable design formation, within the scope of the invention, but preferably are formed in the manner shown in Figures 1 and 2, wherein a pair of substantially parallel horizontal rails or bars 21 and 22 extend forwardly from the rear vertical hanger bar 13, and are connected with a downwardly and rearwardly inclined integral strip 23 to define an inwardly and downwardly inclined outer end.

Braces 24 of a suitable design are interposed between the bars 21 and 22, and are preferably welded thereto. A pair of spaced parallel forwardly and downwardly inclined side rails or bars 25 and 26 are fixed at their rear ends to the hanger bar 13 near the top thereof, and these bars 25 and 26 are fixed at their forward ends o the top rail or bar 21 near its forward end, thereby providing a one-piece side section 11. Suitably designed braces 27 and 28 are interposed between the rails or bars 25 and 3 26. As stated above, the side section 12 of the frame is constructed similarly to the side section 11, or are duplicates.

The front ends, of theframes 11 and 12 are connected by a bottom bar or rail 29" by'having its upturned jter minals 30 and 31 bolted to theside frameslii and-1'2 by means of "bolts 321and 33', respectively, as shown in detailin Figure 5'. The front ends of the frames 11' and 12 also. are connected by a top rail 34 having rearwardl'y extending terminals 35' and 36 bolted to the frames 11 and. i2 bysuitable bolts 37 and 38. A front top support bar 39'is arranged in. vertical spaced parallel spaced relation to .the bar or. rail '34, and is. connected thereto.

by means of the upstanding lugs 49, 41 and 42. These lugsfrom apart of the bar or rail 39 and are preferably welded to the .bar or. rail 34' to hold. the bars or rails in spaced and integral relation.

Braces.43. in a suitable design, are welded to therespecti've rails or bars. 34 and 29m define a decorative front frame panel, which as shown extends across the front of the frame in. a rearwardly and downwardly inclined position. A rear top transverse brace bar 44 is connected to the rear upper ends of the frames 11 and 12, as shown in Figure 3, bymeans of the bolts 45 and 46, respectively. The rail 26 of. the frame is provided with an upwardly. and forwardly curved upper terminal 47 to define a flashing strip supporting element in up-.

ward spaced relation to the rail 26. The side section 12 is provided with a terminal d7 which is constructed similarly to; the terminal 47 of the side section 11, see Figure 16. As stated above, the side section 12 is a duplicate of the side section 11, as will be obvious by comparing, Figures and 16 of the drawings.

A top paneling sheet 48 rests upon the top rails 26 and 26 of the side frames 11 and 12, and this top paneling sheet 48 is transversely corrugated to define a step-like formation, as shown in Figure 1. The paneling sheet 48is anchored securely at selected intervals to the top rails 26 and 26 and other selected portions of the awning frame by means of hook bolts 49. These hook bolts pass" through the sheet 48 and book under the rails of the awning frame, suitable nuts being used to anchor the sheet-48 in engagement with the bolts. The front edge of the top paneling sheet 48 defines a downwardly bent flange Stlwhich overhangs the front bar or rail 39, as shown in Figure 4. The rear edge of the sheet 48 defines an upturned flange 51, as shown in Figure 10. This rear edge of; the sheet 48 is anchored to the top transverse bar 44 by means of hook bolts 49 near the side edges of the sheet 48, and is also anchored by a vertical central hook bolt 52, which bolt 52 passes through aspacing sleeve 53. This sleeve supports a transverse flashingstrip fid, and the bolt 52 passes through the strip 54 and is'anchored in position by a suitable nut 55.

The flashing strip 54 tightly abuts at its rear edge the wall W to seal thejointtherebetween, and is provided with a depending weather flange 56 which is arranged in spaced relation forwardly of the upturned flange 51 of the sheet 48, as shown in Figures 2 and 10.

, The flange 51 terminates short of the under face of the flashing strip- 54 to permit circulation of air under the flange 56' and over the flange 51. The upper edge of the flange 51 preferably is notched, as at 57, to interlock with the under face of the terminal 47 and assists in bracing the upper edge of the sheet 48 against lateral displacement.

. Vertical panel sheets 58' and 59 are anchored to the inner faces of the side sections 11 and 12 of the awning frameby means of suitable hook bolts 60. The sheets 58'and 59 are vertically'corrugated and suitably scalloped along the bottom-edge to provide a decorative effect, as shown in Figure 1.

A front'panel sheet 61 is secured behind the bars 29, 34 and-"39, which preferably constitute an inwardly inclined front frame, and this sheet is anchored to these bars by means of suitable hook bolts 62. The lower edge of the sheet 61 also is preferably scalloped for decora tive purposes. This front fi'ame and panel may, if desired, hang in a vertical position within the scope of the invention. The sheet 61 is provided along its upper edge with a rearwardly and upwardly extending angularly bent flange 63, which extends under the front portion of the sheet 48 in inward spaced relation, as shown in Figure 6, to permit circulation of air under the flange 50 andv over the flange 63, and up under the sheet 48 for ventilation purposes.

By considering Figure 23, it will be, seen that thevertical side panel sheet 58 is provided with a vertical inwardly inclined rear air current. directing flange 58 which flange 58 is spaced from the wall to permit air currents to pass between the rear of the sheet 58 and the wall W as indicated by the arrows. The panel sheet 59 is provided with a flange 591*, similar to the flangeSS In Figures 24 and 25 a modified type of meansfor. anchoring the flashing strip is shown. In this form, the. flashing strip 54 which is generally of the same structure shown in Figures 2 and 3, is held in place upon a.

wall or other support by means of a bracket54 which bracket is held to its support by means of screws or. other anchoring means. The bracket 54 is provided with a plurality of spaced jaws 54 which have inwardly. facing continuous ridges 54' for gripping the flashing.

strip between the jaws to anchor the flashing strip in:

position. The flashing strip- 54 constitutes-a continuous auxiliary flashing strip.

In Figures 26 to 28,, there is shown a modified form of bottomlug for engaging, the bottom bracket in this. form, the bottom lug is provided with lateral bulgeportions 81 which are adapted to wedge or bind into the bottom bracket 18 to hold the side sections rattle.- proof upon the lower hanger brackets. These lugs-may be locked in position also by a set screw such as. the set screw 82, shown in Figure 28.

It will be noted that the basic framework of. the present awning consists mainly of parallel bars, and any selected metalwork. design may be integrated to provide these trapezoids being formed by the particular locations of the members 13, 23, 25, 26, 21 and 22, respectively.

An important feature ofthe structure shown, is-,-to

obtain maximum air circulation and shade coverage. As cooling is an important function of this awning, the

rearward slanted front 61, the upper front opening," the.

upperrear opening, andthe side openings,,all'contribute to achieve this effectnote Figures 6,9 and'23.

The sheets 48, 61, 54, 58 and 59 are formed of relatively stiff plastic fiberglass which is translucent, and is suitably reinforced as by corrugation. These sheets permit a certain amount of light. to pass. therethrough. and will expose the framework design on the inside by day and on the outside by night.

Since the brackets 16, 17 18 and 19 areattached to the supporting wall W in the manner shown, the awning may be attached or detached with a minimum amount of effort, while at the same time being practically immovable and extremely rigid when properly placed in position. The outside decorative framework creates an uncluttered effect on the inside, thus keeping both the inside and outside ina properly decorative tone. stated above, the front framework which is shown. as

slanted rearwardly to' increase the air circulation around.

the awning, may be made to accommodate a front panel in a vertical rather than a slanted position, if desired.

The covering sheets may be of a contrasting color from.

the frame.

As is shown in Figures 17 to 22, which illustrate a modified form of the invention, a frame 65 is supported.

upon a suitable support or wall W by means of hanger brackets 66 similar to the hanger brackets 14 to 17 inclusive, set forth in the foregoing description. The

' frame 65 is generally of the same structure as illustrated comprises the top element 70, the front element 70 and suitable side elements 70". The forward end of the member 69 is provided with a depending finger 71 which is bolted or anchored to the front portion 72 of the frame 65 by means of suitable bolts 73 and 74. A longitudinally extending brace bar 75 is secured to the rear face of the finger 71 and is upwardly inclined toward the rear end of the serpentine member 69 and terminates in an upwardly and forwardly extending hook 76 to which is anchored the transverse flashing strip 77 similar to the flashing strip 54. Vertical braces 78 reinforce and connect the serpentine member 69 and the bracing bar 75, as shown in Figure 19. It should be understood that the top canopy element 70 and associated parts may be at any desired incline. Any number of these central top brace bars, such as the bar 64, may be used within the scope of the invention, especially where the awning is of great length requiring a number of bracing elements. The bar 64 is serpentine as shown, although it may be of any suitable design within the scope of the invention.

Since the canopy element and the awing sheets in each form, are formed of translucent plastic, the frame will be seen in silhouette through the awning from the outside when interiorly lighted at night, and theframe will be seen in silhouette through the awning from the inside during daylight.

In the form shown in Figures 17 to 22, the bar 69 may also be similarly seen in silhouette.

The scallops or waves on the bottom of the side panels or sheets 58 preferably are of short radius at the front, graduating at each turn to larger radius at the rear, as shown in Figure 1. This is to give a moving or forward effect to the awning with various types of paneling and to give the appearance of an evenly spaced effect on the step pattern when observed from a front angled position.

An important purpose of this awning frame is to achieve a decorative as well as a structural purpose, inasmuch as most awnings are provided with merely a structural frame that is obtrusive and unsightly and lacking in various desirable qualities.

Tests have proven that the front framework, as shown in Figures 1 and 5, is extremely rigid through the use of the integrated design of the several longitudinal bars or rails 29 and 34 reinforced with laterals 43 of any selected design. My awning is of a very rigid nature vertically, horizontally, laterally, and in every direction, largely because of the particular and peculiar angles and arrangements of materials. Although the rearward slant of the front brace as positioned on the side sections adds to its strength and rigidity in all directions and will bear a much greater weight than otherwise, as well as provide an air scoop, it is not desired to restrict the invention to this rearward slant of the front brace, since this front brace may be in a vertical position if desired, with a slight loss of value.

The following enumerates the important features of the front panel- (1) Provision for an air scoop for better awning ventilation;

(2) The use of three horizontal rails in the basic structure;

(3) The top and center rails to form an air scoop and to support the covering material;

(4) The center and lowerrails to support the top rail and the front panel covering material, also to act as a spacer of any desirable length between the side fram and to connect to the same;

(5) The front panel unit as a whole to separate the sides in utmost rigidity;

(6) The upward angles of the lower rail ends to increase-the side-to-side rigidity of the front frame in relation to the side frames and to the awning as a whole and to serve as a method of attachment thereto;

(7) The rearward angles of the center rail ends to increase the side-to-side rigidity in the same, and an added direction ,of that obtained from the lower rail in I the side pieces to give the front frame, panel, and awning as a whole the utmost rigidity downwardly, rearwardly and in practically every other direction in itself and in relation to the awning as a whole;

(9) The open separation of the bottom and center rails at their ends to create acertain flexibility for adjustment to the holes placed in the side frames, facilitating attachment to same;

(10) The incorporation of a design in metal to create a decorative theme, to act as spacers between the center and lower rails, and to create a maximum of strength and rigidity.

It should be noted that the awing frame is positioned on the outside of the covering rather than beneath the same. The outside frame, therefore, provides. for and includes a combined decorative and re-inforcing motif. By considering Figure 2, it will be seen that the lugs or hooks 13 14, 15 and 15*, support and attach the complete awning structure to the wall W. The two upwardly turned lugs or hooks 13 and 14, are longer than the two turned down hooks 15 and 15. When assembling, the upper lugs or hooks are first inserted in the upper hanger brackets 16 and 17 to the point where the two lower lugs or hooks 15 and 15 clear the top of the lower hanger brackets 18 and 19. The awning frame is then dropped down to the point of completely engaging the lower lugs or hooks with the lower hanger brackets. The two upper lugs or books at the same time have dropped down in the upper brackets to a certaindistance, but not enough to pull out. The

set screws are then adjusted, thereby locking the awning frame in the hanger brackets and thereby solidly securing the complete awnings to the Wall.

Having described the invention, what I claim as new is:

1. An awning of the class described comprising a frame having an inner and an outer end, means for anchoring the inner end of said frame to a building, said frame including spaced parallel forwardly and downwardly inclined side rails having upwardly and forwardly extending terminals defining flashing strip supporting elements in upward spaced relation to said rails,

a top paneling sheet for said frame supported upon said rails, said top sheet having a downwardly extending flange overhanging and spaced from the outer end of said frame, a front panel sheet carried by the outer end of said frame in inward spaced relation to said downwardly extending flange of said top paneling sheet for directing air currents up under and in close proximity to the under face of said top sheet, said top sheet having an upturned rear flange spaced forwardly from the inner end of said frame to permit air currents to pass from an area in close proximity to the under face of said top sheet and to pass upwardly and over said rear flange, a flashing strip overhanging said upwardly and forwardly extending terminals in upward spaced re lation to said rear flange, said flashing strip having a forward and downturned flange spaced forwardly with i respect to said upturned rear flange defining an air current outlet therebetween, and said, forward, and down turned. flange defining; a weather shield in conjunction with said rear fiange-for-thefitop sheet. near the inner. end oi said frame 2. An awning as defined in, claim 1, wherein said frameislongitudinally braced from its inner to its outer end by means of a substantially centrally located bracing mernber, and said bracingmember including a longitudinally extending top brace constituting a top sheet 10 engaging and supportingmember contacting the under face of said top sheet.

3. An awning as defined in: claim 1, wherein said frame. is longitudinally'braced from its inner to its outer.

end bymeans of a substantially centrally located brac- 15 ingmem'her, said bracing member being in longitudinal serpentine formation having alternate oppositely and laterally extendinggport-ions constituting a top sheet engaging, and supporting memberv contacting the under face 6: ofsaid top sheet.

References Citedin the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,533,846 Stone Dec. 12, 1950 2,547,222 Logan Apr. 3, 1951 2,584,609 Owen Feb. 5, 1952 2,731,686 Ball Jan. 24, 1956 2,742,252 Wiesner Apr. 17, 1956 

